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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Batik and Tenun

The Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Arts arrived in Kuantan's East Coast Mall for a roadshow yesterday. Along with the Sunshine Academy of dancers and the Bonsai Tree competition, it seems EC Mall is attracting more interest in recent times.

The woman doing this Pua Kumbu is actually my wife's friend from Kuching. She has woven many items and sells them with much success.

Here is another intriguing work station, the woman making a songket. As you can see, it looks very much like a sarong, which I love to wear at nights, only that a songket is worn by men as part of the traditional Malay clothing.

Here is a beautifully crafted 'Congkak' game, played by two players moving as many marbles as possible into their end pockets. Tricky to pick up at first, but quite addictive once one gets going.

We left the activities for a while to buy some bargains including a tray of 30 eggs for just RM5.99. Here is Lauren pulling her own basket...and later, with her favourite Japanese girl...

The area here is developing well. East Coast Mall, Chinatown, India Town, Malay Town, Construction Town and an ICT hub are transforming this patch of land into somewhat of an attraction. Currently in progress is the building of a hotel, convention centre and office block which is slated for completion by October 2010.

Yes, it looks rather like the facade of a temple, and how I wish it was, but a hotel will do fine in this part of Kuantan. We might give it a try ourselves next year.